Toy figure action set

ABSTRACT

A toy figure action set comprising one or more small toy figures, a fixed support which extends up above a support surface, and separate movable carrier means to which one or more of the toy figures may be removably attached. The carrier means is removably supported on the fixed support for movement by virtue of point or line contact, whereby movement of the toy figure relative to the fixed support may be achieved.

United States Patent 1 Goldfarb et al.

[ 1 TOY FIGURE ACTION SET [75] Inventors: Adolph E. Goldfarb, 4614 Monarca Dr., Tarzana, Calif. 91356; Howard L. Dekan, Chatsworth, Calif.

[73] Assignee: said Goldfarb, by said Dekan [22] Filed: Feb. 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 229,833

521 U.S.Cl ..46/22,46/l47,46/130, 7 46/131 51 Int. Cl ..A63h 33/06 [58] Field of Search ..46/17, 115, 116,119,130, 9 46/131, 134, 147, 22

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,874,515 2/1959 Ford 46/147 X 3,445,114 5/1969 Fernandez 46/131 X Mar. 12, 1974 2,445,387 7/1948 Davis 46/130 2,551,668 5/1951 Goodsman 46/131 2,169,710 8/1939 Schmidt 46/130 1,380,911 6/1921 Hubic 46/147 X Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant ExaminerD. L. Weinhold Attorney, Agent, or FirmRobert M. Ashen [5 7 ABSTRACT A toy figure action set comprising one or more small toy figures, a fixed support which extends up above a support surface, and separate movable carrier means to which one or more of the toy figures may be removably attached. The carrier means is removably supported on the fixed support for movement by virtue of point or line contact, whereby movement of the toy figure relative to the fixed support may be achieved.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAR 12 I974 TOY FIGURE ACTION SET Toys of the prior art which have provided means for supporting toy figures in balanced and/or movable positions have tended to be quite complex and expensive to produce, and were readily subject to damage. Other toys of this class, while being more durable and sturdy, particularly when designed for pre-school children, intended to be very limited in the variety and nature of the movement or balancing provided. The present invention contemplates a relatively simple and inexpensive toy which at the same time provides a great deal of interest, variety, and excitement in its utilization. The same figures may be used to perform a variety of different actions or activities, to extend the usual play value from such objects.

A preferred form of the invention described hereinafter, generally comprise individual toy figures for arrangement, in combination with various support elements so that a figure or figures are supported by virtue of line or point contact for cycling or repeating motion to entertain and amuse the child. Thus, the toy figures may be moved by the child in generally repetitive movement pattern. For example, in one form a figure or figures may be mounted on a swing with two downward projecting pin portions supported respectively on a pair of complementary support pad areas. The figure and the swing in effect pivot about a horizontal axis defined by the two points of contact of the pin portions on the supporting areas.

In another form, one or more of the figures may be supported intermediate the ends of a cylindrical rolling bar. The bar in turn is removably supported adjacent its ends on the flat upper support pad areas of a pair of spaced apart elevated rails. Line contact is thus provided between the bars and the rails. The figures will spin or rotate about the axis of the bar, while also traveling in one direction along the rails.

In a further form, a figure may be carried on a structure having a single downwardly depending point portion that rests upon a mating pad area. The single point support not only permits the figure to swing back and forth in pendulum fashion in any desired direction, but also permits rotational movement in whole or part, or in combination around the pivot point of the pin.

Thus, the various described embodiments permit the individual figures and the support members to be variously arranged so that the figures are maintained in an elevated position and are movable by virtue of point or line contact in a repeating pattern or path, such as rotational movement, swinging or pendulum like movement, rocking or teeter-totter type movement.

One further aspect of the invention may be the interchangeability of the figures and the support structure members so that a limited number of figures and support members may provide the child with a variety of different toy arrangements or set-ups. In the drawings:

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, illustrate four embodiments in perspective which incorporate the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section showing the support of a toy figure on the carrier means of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view in enlarged dimension of a carrier member of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial view taken generally along line 7-7 of FIG. 4.

Now considering the drawings, it will be appreciated that each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4 comprise the basic elements of the preferred form of the invention: one or more toy figures, a fixed support extending above a base surface, and carrier means on which one or more of said toy figures are carried, the carrier means being removably and movably supported on the fixed support by virtue of point or line contact. The illustrated figures are thereby capable of generally repeating or cyclical movement.

The toy apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 includes a pair of toy figures 12, a fixed or stationary support means 14 made up of a base 16 and a pair of upright members 18, and a movable and removable carrier means 20.

The illustrated toy figure 12 is generally cylindrical in shape, having a flat bottom, however, its upper end has a rounded or dome configuration rather than being fiat. The figure may be suitably decorated to represent the desired human or animal to be depicted. The figure 12 has a receptacle 24 formed in the center of its lower end for the purpose to be described below.

The fixed or stationary support 14 comprises the base 16, and the upright members 18 as noted above. The illustrated base 16 is a generally flat disc which may be formed of any suitable material such as molded plastic, wood, metal, or the like. As shown in FIG. 4, a number of receptacles 26 are formed in the upper surface of the base 16 for receiving various other support members. Thus as shown in FIG. 1, receptacles 28 and 30 are spaced apart and adapted to receive the lower ends of the upright members 18 in a frictional engagement. The elongated upright members 18 are provided at their upper ends with transversely extending upper platforms 32 which provide generally flat upwardly facing horizontal support pad area or surfaces 33.

The movable and removable carrier means 20 of FIG. 1 is comprised of a pendulum-type member 34 having a transversely extending section 36, and a downwardly depending center section 38 connected intermediately the ends of the transverse section 36. The center section 38 is generally U-shaped, having a transverse lower portion 35 and a pair of vertical leg portions 37 that are connected to the transverse bar section 36. The transverse bar section 36 has a depending pointed pivot portions 40 adjacent each of its ends. The pivot portions 40 rest respectively upon the support pad surfaces 33 of the platforms 32 of the upright members 18. The transversely extending bar section 36 includes an upright rib portion 44 shown best in section in FIG. 5. A toy figure 12 is detachably mounted on the rib portion 44 by means of an intermediate carrier clip 46. The clip 46 is shown best in FIGS. 5 and 6. The clip 46 includes a disc shaped center section 48 and a pair of spaced-apart depending ribs or tabs 50 which define a space between them for receiving in frictional engagement, the rib portion 44 (See FIG. 5). The clip 46 also includes an upwardly extending pin 52 proportioned to be frictionally received in the bottom receptacle 24 of the toy figure 12. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, one figure 12 is supported by means of the clip 46 on transverse bar section 36. Transverse portion 35 also has a rib portion on which a second toy figure is detachably mounted by a second carrier clip 46. The carrier member 34 is removably and pivotally mounted by virtue of the pointed pivot portions 40 resting upon the pad areas 33 of the upright members 18. The figures 12 may be balanced in this position and also may be caused to rock back-and-forth about the point contacts made by the pivot portions 40.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the invention comprising the same basic elements as noted above. Thus, the apparatus a of FIG. 2 includes a fixed base (not shown), and upright members 18 having support platforms 32 at their upper ends. The platforms 32 provide the support pad areas 33. The movable and removable carrier means 20a comprises, however, a somewhat differently constructed carrier member 34a which includes a transversely extending section 36a, and a pair of spaced-apart pivot portions 40a adjacent the ends of the transverse section 36a. The pivot portions 40a serve to pivotally support by point contact the carrier member 34a on the surfaces 33 of the platforms 32 for rocking motion similar to that provided in FIG. 1. The center portion of the transverse section 36a is offset downwardly to provide a transverse portion 35a. Portion 35a is itself proportioned so as to removably receive a carrier clip 46. Removably mounted on the clip 46 is a teeter-totter simulating member 54 which extends generally horizontally intermediate the upward members 18, and generally normal to the plane formed by upright members 18. The member 54 may have a receptacle in which the pin 52 of the clip 46 is received. Adjacent each end of the teeter-totter member 54, an upright pin (not shown) is provided for being received in the bottom receptacle 24 of one of the figure toys 12. Thus, when the carrier member 34a rocks on the pivot points 40a, the figures l2 alternately move up and down to simulate the general appearance of a teetertOttCI'.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the same base 16 may be provided along with a single upright member 18 having a support platform 32 with a surface or pad area 33 at its upper end. This embodiment is designated 10b. Supported on the surface 33 of platform 32, is a movable and removable carrier means 20b. The carrier means 20b comprises a transversely extending member 34b having a bar section 36b that has a downwardly extending pivot portion or projection 40b at its center. The pivot portion 40b rests upon the surface 33 and provides the point contact pivot point for the device. Adjacent each end of bar section 36b there is a depending arm or section 55 having a weight 57 at its lower end. A figure 12 may be removably mounted on the bar section 36b as by means of a clip such as 46 which releasibly connects to both the figure and a vertical rib portion 44b of the bar section 36b. The device of FIG.

3 will provide not only a wobbling or teeter-totter effeet, but since it is mounted on a single pivot point 40b, it also may be caused to rotate about the vertical axis passing through pivot point 40b.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4,

the base 16 of this device 100, supports a pair of upright members 180. Each of the members 180 comprises a pair of spaced-apart upright legs 60 and a horizontal bar 62 which connects to and spans across the upper ends of the legs 60. The bars 62 have generally flat upper surfaces 63 and turned up stop sections 61 at either end. The lower ends of the legs 60 are received in appropriate recesses 26 in the base 16 to thereby support the members 18c in the positions shown, spaced from one another. This may be a friction fit for ready changing of the structure. The movable and removable carrier means 20c of this embodiment comprises a generally elongated member 64 shown best in FIGS. 4 and 7. The member 64 comprises a cylindrical bar 65 that carrys a weighted section 66 adjacent either end. The member 64 also has a center section 68 disposed intermediate the ends of the bar 65. The center section 68 provides a pair of generally opposed and flat surfaces having pin sections 70 extending onwardly from them to be frictionally received in receptacles 24 in toy figures 12. Thus as shown best in FIG. 4, a pair of the toy figures 12 may be releasibly secured to the carrier member 64 which straddles across the spaced-apart bars 62 of the upright members 18c. The weighted sections 66 are disposed outwardly of the bars 62, while the center section 68 and the toy figures 12 are disposed intermediate the bars 62. Thus, the figures 12 may be caused not only to swing back and forth about the axis of the carrier member 64, but may rotate about that axis, causing the member 64 and the toy figures 12 to move from one end of the horizontal bars 62 to the other end. The stops 61 at the ends of the bars 62 limits this travel.

The various members making up the support structures and the carrier means can be made of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, wood or the like. It will be appreciated that the precise form of the toy figures, a base, and the various fixed and movable structural members may be varied, as for example, in length or cross-section so long as the desired relationships and inter-action are maintained. The illustrated means for ready removal is simple, and economical and easy for the child or user to manipulate, however, other suitable and comparable attachment means may be utilized. Thus, for example, clips might be utilized if desired.

We claim:

1. A toy figure action set comprising:

a base member having a plurality of receptacles formed therein,

a pair of bar members, each of said bar members having a pair of spaced apart legs extending therefrom in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of its associated bar member,

the legs of said bar members being supported in selected ones of said receptacles such that said bar members are positioned opposite each other and lie in a common plane substantially parallel to said base member,

a carrier member having a central section and a pair of bars extending outwardly therefrom along a common axis, and

a fanciful figure supported on the central section of said carrier member,

the bars of said carrier member being pivotally supported between said bar members to permit repetitive 360 rotation of said figure thereon,

whereby the bars of the carrier member are permitted to roll down the bar members and thus to permit movement of the carrier member along the bar members.

2. The toy figure set of claim 1 wherein said bar members are parallel to each other.

3. The-toy figure set of claim 1 wherein said figure device comprises a pair of similar fanciful figures removably and symmetrically attached to opposite sides of the central section of said carrier member.

4. The toy figure set of claim 1 wherein the bars of said carrier member have weighted portions at the outer extremities thereof.

5. The toy figure set of claim 1 wherein said bar members have stops at the ends thereof to limit the travel of the carrier member.

. i 8 l l 

2. The toy figure set of claim 1 wherein said bar members are parallel to each other.
 3. The toy figure set of claim 1 wherein said figure device comprises a pair of similar fanciful figures removably and symmetrically attached to opposite sides of the central section of said carrier member.
 4. The toy figure set of claim 1 wherein the bars of said carrier member have weighted portions at the outer extremities thereof.
 5. The toy figure set of claim 1 wherein said bar members have stops at the ends thereof to limit the travel of the carrier member. 